Injection Moulding Asia Automation
Bringing automation barriers down with end-of-arm tooling In this article, James Taylor, General Manager,
Continuous technology transformation and the rise of collaborative applications in industrial automation have made robots easily deployable. Intelligent EOAT devices come with in-built features that can be programmed easily, enabling faster set-up. With EOAT, automation becomes more inclusive, delivering collaborative applications to meet modern automation needs.
APAC of OnRobot, explains how intelligent endof-arm tooling (EOAT) is helping manufacturers deploy robots. EOAT changes the game with its revolutionary features and functions,
making automation easier to integrate and more
Automation adoption rises in ASEAN The ASEAN region’s combined GDP hit almost US$2.7 trillion in 2017, four times the value in 2000, clocking an average 5.3% yearly growth. ASEAN could become the world’s fourth largest economy by 2030 if this growth maintains. 1 To achieve this, the region needs to leverage the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0 technologies. Adoption of these technologies remains slow in most countries however, with many manufacturers still relying on outdated processes. 2 Singapore is spearheading the adoption of automation and robotics, recording the second highest industrial robot density globally at 658 robots per 10,000 employees. 3 Malaysia and Thailand have also increased their focus on automation, encouraging greater use of robotics through the National Policy on Industry 4.0 (Industry4WRD) and the Thailand 4.0 strategy respectively. This has led to an increase in cobot adoption and greater demand for collaborative applications. Coupled with the fast-changing nature of industries, this driving demand for modular and advanced EOAT.
effective. He also says the adoption of automation in Southeast Asia is being hindered due to
manufacturers’ limited knowledge on automation coupled with the high cost and time constraint
associated with the production set-up. OnRobot,
founded in 2015, is headquartered in Denmark. It provides plug & produce EOATs.
Industrial automation challenges/introduction Historically, one of the biggest barriers to automation has been cost and time constraints associated with the production set-up. The procedure is usually performed by a team of robotics experts adept in programming languages and advanced engineering, subjects unfamiliar to most. Demand for automation is flourishing from various manufacturing sectors leading to greater innovations in industrial robotics. With this trend, companies are prompted to adapt more and more intelligent tools that can help the production workforce with faster deployment and installation, saving their precious time on planning and strategy. But not many businesses have been able to do so quickly because most are not ready to address collaborative applications with newer technologies. This is due to limited knowledge or resistance to adopting modern endof-arm tooling (EOAT) with collaborative robots (cobots).
Easy and robust system integration with collaborative tools System integrators have been of immense importance in robotics as they provide support with programming and outfitting processes. A robust system integration plan is not complete without the right EOAT devices. In fact, a major part of a plan focuses on picking the right end effectors such as grippers, sensors and tool changers that can be easily programmed with the robot. With more applications being collaborative in nature, system integrators believe that fitting appropriate tools around robots is becoming more crucial than robots alone. EOAT tools enable a two-way information exchange between the robot and the object. It makes installation simpler and easier, reducing setup time and effort drastically. Smart, flexible and collaborative robotic accessories completely revolutionise the flow and quality of systems integration (SI). Intelligent grippers, for instance, can collect and communicate crucial data to robots in real time to improve their accuracy and overall performance.
James Taylor of OnRobot says EOAT changes the game with its revolutionary features and functions, making automation easier to integrate and more effective
5 AUGUST 2019
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